When Is The Best Time To Buy A Car? – The Expert Guide

You are ready to buy your dream car but, when is the best time to buy a car?

Do you think timing is what everybody needs to pay attention to before making any purchase?

The answer is “yes,” and it’s your responsibility to do your homework and find out which time of the year helps you save hundreds of dollars.

While timing is important, there are other important aspects of your purchase that you need to add to your checklist including; sticker price, equipment level, car options, available colors, financing, transportation costs, and more.

Note that difference between an educated shopper and a buyer who just checks the tag price is that the former one has more chances of getting a better deal because of the amount of dedicated research.

For that reason here are some tips on when to buy your dream car.

Car sales at the end of the year

Frequently, car dealers come with tempting sales at the end of the calendar year, especially during Christmas season where people are offered incentives to buy a new car for a relative as a gift.

You can also see how automakers and auto dealers push hard to move metal inventory before the end of the year as they want to start the new year with as little inventory as possible.

If you are still skeptical, visit your local dealership during the last week of December, specifically on December 30th and 31st.

Buying a car at the end of the month

Car sales reps. are usually stressed about not meeting their sales target for the month, which is the reason why they offer incentive on vehicles they need to sell.

Having said that, go to automaker’s website to verify the price sticker before making any decision. Don’t be afraid to add your zip code as you could be entitled to regional discounts.

Once you are aware of the price of the car before and after the incentives, visit your local dealership and proceed to purchase the vehicle.

Since you know that timing is key, consider waiting until the last three or two days before the end of the month to negotiate a price.

Consider buying previous models and slow-selling versions

Search For Price Discounts On Vehicle Versions That Aren’t New In The Market

Normally, new models are on displayed between September and October, which immediately reduces the price of previous versions.

Buying a vehicle from a previous model could help you save more money than buying a car from the current model year.

You won’t see much the difference apart from interior color and exterior changes. Now, you may also be tempted to buy a car from a model that wasn’t really that popular for buyers.

Online shopping and in-person visits are crucial

Now, buyers can simply use the Internet to check for cars available on store, financing opportunities, trade-ins, and payment arrangements.

However, once you picked the car you want to buy, go to the dealership and test the car before making any purchase decision.

Make sure the car you are testing meets your expectations and feel free to keep negotiating once you are closing the deal in person.

Look for sales during the holidays

The holidays are great days for you to visit your local dealership to see what’s on the market. You’ll be surprised to meaningful rebates and great financing opportunities.

Apart from the Christmas season, consider contacting your dealer during the weekends around 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, which are usually promoted on different media platforms.

Don’t feel shy about asking for further discounts during those dates as sometimes car dealers are stuck with oversupply and they are in terrible need of moving stock.

2 comments

Hello Zozo. It really depends on the vehicle. A new car that you bought from a dealership may depreciate considerably in the first few years of ownership (typically 3 years), compared to a used vehicle whose value may have already dropped. Either way, any car you drive regardless of where you get it depreciates from the moment you start driving it.